Centrifugal concentrator



Patented Feb. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES ORRIN '.B, PECK, JR., OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

CENTRIFUGAL CO'NCENTRATOR.

Application filed March 19, 1924, Serial No. 700,433.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, OnnrN B. Piron, J r., a citizen of the United States, residing at 1433 Test 48th St., in the city of Los Angeles, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Centrifugal Concentrators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that type of centrifugal concentrators which operate in successive cycles alternately accumulating a bed or load of concentrates in a rotating vessel, and then discharging the same, and in which Van internal rotatable longitudinally movable core member is employed to function with the vessel for accomplishing the purposes of the `concentrator, the longitudinal movements of the core in part, being controlled by liquid pressure of a hydraulic cylinder in operating communication with the core member.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is partly a side elevation and partly a central section of my concentrator, showing the internal member or core moved to its nearest position towards the small or feed end of the concentrating vessel.

Fig. 2, is similar to Fig. 1, but showing the core forced back to the discharge end of the vessel, and having a small part of the apparatus and most of the feed pipe at the feed end broken away.

Fig. 3, is a detached and enlarged longi tudinal central section of the hydraulic cylinder and immediately associated members which appear attached to the right hand end of Figs. 1 and 2 in the drawings.

Fig. 4, is a central vertical section of certain relief valve mechanism detached and enlarged, but with its lower portion broken away.

ItV will be understood, as has been described in my allowed application for Letters Patent, Serial- No. 666,277, tiled Oct. 3rd, 1923, that in this type of concentrator the core member is somewhat shorter in length that the internal length of the concentrating vessel, which permits longitudinal movement of the 'core within the vessel, and that in operation, at the commencement of the concentrating period of each cycle, the core is in position nearest to the small or feed end of the vessel, also that during concentration it is gradually forced lengthways by operating pressure of the material and liquid fed into the vessel towards the Renewed November 29, 1924.

opposite or large end of the vessel, which movement is suitably and yieldably resisted by liquid pressure in the hydraulic cylinder, as above stated.

It will be further understood that during the unloading or concentrate discharge period of the cycle, the core is automatically forced back by pressure of the liquid in the hydraulic cylinder, to its initial position in the vessel, preparatory to the commencement of another cycle, and my present invention relates more particularly to these phases, with construction and coordination .of parts to best effect such results.

In carrying out my present invention I provide a rotatable conical shaped cylinder or concentrating vessel 2, illustrated partly in longitudinal section and partly in side elevation in both Figs. 1 and 2, of the drawings. At the large end of this vessel there is an enlargement 3, in which is formed an internal annular chamber, having comparatively small discharge opening 4, located in a circumferential row which extends from the chamber through the wall of the vessel, for discharge of liquid and material from the vessel.

The vessel at this end is provided with a head 5, which is rigidly and concentrically mounted on and supported by a rotatable hollow shaft 6, which is journalled in boxes 7 and 8 respectively, mounted on the upper end of stands 9 and 10, these stands in turn, being supported on a base plate 11, of the concentrator. The shaft 6 is provided with a pulley 12, by which rotation is imparted to it from any suitable source of power by a belt, not shown, and in this way the concentrating vessel is revolved at the speed which may be desired.

The small end of the vessel is also provided with a head 13, which has a hollow extended centrally located trunnion 14,

which is journalled in a box 15, mounted on the upper end of a stand 16, superimposed on the bed plate of the concentrator as are the stands 9 and 10.

Within the concentrating vessel is a core member 17, which is somewhat smaller in diameter and also somewhat shorter than the internal length of the vessel. This core is tapering in form substantially the same as is the internal circumferential wall of the vessel, and is of diameter so when the core is positioned nearest to the small or feed end of the vessel, as illustrated in Fig.

1, there will be a comparatively small annular space or channel 18, around between its exterior and the interior wall or surface of the vessel, which, in operation serves as a concentrating channelor passage y The core is somewhat in thenatureoi1 a large plug, although appearing in the drawings, within the vessel, in longitudinal section. It is intended to be smooth on its circumferential surface, and is securely mounted on the overhanging end of a shaft 19, which is journalled in the hollow o1 the shaft 6, lpassing through such hollow and extending into the vessel suitably to support and carry the core therein.

This shaft Valso extends through and out of the opposite end of the hollow shaft, a desired distance, so as to be journalled at this end,'inr a box 20, outside of the vessel shaft 6, mounted on the upper part of a stand 21, which is supported on the bed plate of the concentrator as shown,

As means for rotating the shart't 19, and the core, there is a. pulley/'22, of `suitable size mounted on the shaft, which may bedriven by a belt, not shown, at any speed desired.

Surrounding the enlargement 3, of the vessel, there'is provided a hollow housing Vor lauiider 23, with comparatively thin walls, located and held in `place on the bed plate of the` concentrator as illustrated, and is provided with an annuler slot or opening 24, through its wall around `adjacent to the enlargement, in radial alignment with the discharge `holes 4, in position to receive the discharge ot' liquid and material from the vessel and permit the same to liow from an opening 26 through thejlower part oit' the launder,l to a vplace of further disposition.

rlhere is a feed pipe 27, best illustratedin Fig. 1, entering the hollow trunnion 14s, ot the vessel, in a. manner to deliver the liquid and material for concentration into the space inthe vessel between the small end of the vessel and the small end of the core, in suitable position to flow through the concentrating channel 18, to the large end of the vessel, and to discharge through the holes 4, for that purpose. l

The feed pipe is intended to be connected with any suitable source of supply tor feed of liquid with material to be concentrated, and its tiow to the vessel is controlled as desired by a valve 28, located in such pipe. This pipe is provided with a pipe 29, for supply of clean water at such time as clean water is desired in operation, and thereis also a. valve S0, located in this branch, by which the flow ot water to the vessel may ,be controlled and regulated as and when desired.

Preferably in extended axial alignment with the shaft 19, or substantially so, there is a h ydraulic cylinder 31, securely but removably connectedto the journal stand 21,

vengage the piston head and the end of the as illustrated .in the drawings, in which a-` suitable piston head 32 is located, having an attached member 33, extending in direction or' the outer end of the core shaft 19, to which this member isdifterentially connected through elements embodying preferably a roller bearing 34, positioned within the chamber formed by the member 33. The member 33 also has a ring plate 33 attached to it, as best shown in Fig. 8, which assists in effecting engagement with the shaft and also serves as a. guide t'or the member 33.

The member 33 and its associated parts, as has been explained, serve to rotatably core shaft, in this way transmitting liquid pressure from the cylinder so as to render such pressure eitective as desired in resisting longitudinal movement of the core towards the discharge end or the vessel centration, als as the agency by which the core is automatically `forced towards the iced end of the vessel during discharge of concentrates. The outer end of the hydraulic cylinder is closed by a head` 36,`

Vand there is a hydraulic pipe 37, suitably connected to the cylinder to supply in the space between this head 36 and the piston head 32, for developing pressure for the purposes herein explained( Liquid supplied to the hydraulic cylinder through the pipe 3.7, is preferably from a yieldable orelastic source, as from an accumulator drum or receiver 3S, as illustrated in the drawing, the upper part of the vdrum serving as an air chamber, which is supplied with air to afford elasticity to movement of the liquid. The liquid is :forced into the accumulator drum under desired pressure by suitable means, as by a `torce pumpnot shown, connecting with a pipe 39.

The pipe 37 connecting with the hydraulic cylinder is provided with an adjustable relier' valve or means d0, which is shown in section in enlarged detail in Fig. a, so that the pressure exerted in the hydraulic cylinder may be regulated and adjusted to serve the conditions of operation of the conceni trator as desired. ln the drawings the accumulator or drum is illustrated as partly in section and partly in elevation, with liquid inythe lower portion, while the space in the upper part serves as an air space.

lu operation, during the concentrating period, the vessel is rotated at a desired comparatively high rate of speed, and the core member is rotated at a desired diiiierenfv tial speed to that ot the vessel, these speeds being adjusted separately and relatively to` eti'ect the concentration wanted.

Under these conditions a suitable volume of material mixed with the water for treatment is fed to the vessel through the feed pipe 27, into the space between the small end of the vessel and that end of the core,

liquid during con@ 8 lill? thence flowing into the concentrating chan nels Where the heavier portions to be separated and recovered, accumulate in said channel in a progressive accretion or bed, 18 as illustrated in Fig. 2, while the lighter or waste portions are hydraulically scoured by the liquid passing through the conceir trating channel as a result of operation, and are washed or carried on through such channel to discharge. from the vessel through the openings 4f., and into the launder, passing on out through the opening 26, in the lower part of the launder for further desired disposition.

During this time of concentration, the vessel operating at a comparatively high speed, the liquid and material which accumulates in the feed end of the vessel, as the same are being fed therein, are sub jected to highly developed centrifugal force, resulting in a hydraulic pressure, strongly tending to force the core endways from the feed end of the vessel towards the large end. This pressure is much augmented as the concentrates bed in the concentrating channel, from the fact that such bedding gradually fills in the concentrating passage and decreases the size of the flow channel for the liquid and material from the feed end. This endways pressure on the core, as above eX- plained, is transmitted through the shaft 19, and its associated part, to the liquid in the hydraulic cylinder, so such liquid forms a resisting energy to the pressure on the end of the core to force the latter towards the large end of the cylinder.

The liquid pressure in the hydraulic cylinder is adjusted through the regulating o-r relief valve 40, so as to balance with the pressure of liquid accumulated in the small end of the vessel, in a manner to yield to the latter pressure as desired, permitting the core to be gradually forced back towards the large end of the vessel, resulting in maintaining the flow passage for material in the concentrating channel of suitable and desired size, while accretion of concentrates therein progresses. This continues until the core has been forced to its extreme position at the large end of the vessel, which has enlarO'ed the channel to its maximum size, permitting the same to have become largely filled with bedded concentrates.

lWhen the core has been fully moved to the large end of the vessel, the feed of material for concentration is closed off by the valve 28; the speed of the concentrating vessel very much reduced and clean liquid introduced through the branch pipe 29, resulting, during the low speed ofthe vessel, in a relatively low centrifugal force and relative low pressure of liquid in the feed end of the vessel, thereby changing the balance of pressure between this point and the liquid inthe hydraulic cylinder, so that the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder will be relatively largely in excess, which condition will force the core again to the small or feed end of the vessel, while the bedded concentrates are washed out under the low condition of centrifugal force` restoring the initial relative positions of the core and the vessel for commencement of another cycle of operation.

The concentrates are flowed from the vessel, while being discharged, through the same openings 4, as was the waste during the concentrating period of the cycle, but may be diverted by any suitable means to a desired place, as they flow from the opening in the lower part of the launder.

The concentrates having been discharged from the vessel, the latter is accelerated to its suitable high speed for concentration; the feed of clean water discontinued; the feed of material for concentration restored, and the operation may be repeated, thus progressing in successive cycles.

ln Fig. 4, is illustrated an enlarged detail of the relief valve 40, to more clearly show its parts, in which it will be seen 'there is a plunger al, suitably itted in the barrel portion of the valve, adapted to be moved in one direction by liquid pressure in the lower part of the valve, and to be forced downward against such pressure by a spring 42, pressing against the same. This spring seats at its opposite end vagainst a member 43, which in turn rests against the end of anl adjustable screw all, so that the member 43, may be forced down or permitted to rise, thereby regulating the tension of the spring and the pressure which the same exerts on the plunger to resist the liquid pressure in the lower end of the valve.

Through the side of the valve barrel, above the plunger closure seating, is an opening 45, shown in Fig. 4, for escape of liquid when the pressure is sufficiently great under the plunger to force the plunger up to that extent, thereby affording relief to the liquid in the valve, and within the cylinder 8l, in such manner regulating or balancf ing the pressure of such liquid with the tension of the adjustable spring of the valve.

lt will be seen that in this way, from the fact that the valve is connected either directly or through medium of suitable pipes with the hydraulic cylinder', the pressure in such cylinder may be regulated as desired to meet the requirements` of operation, suit* ably balancing it with the pressure `in the vessel and maintaining a constant desired size of the concentrating passage to effect desired concentration.

It will further be understood that this valve serves in a large measure to maintain a desired elasticity to the liquid supply'in the drum 88, or accumulator, for the hydraulic cylinder.

lllhat l regard as new and desire to secure `by Letters Patent is:

l. ln a. centrifugal concentrator adapted rfi-operate in successive cycles, each embodyin a period of separation and accumulation of a bed of concentrates, Vand a period of discharging said concentrates, the combination of arotatable tapering concentrating vessel, a relatively differentially rotatable core within said vessel adapted Vto be forced cndways during operation in part by liquid pressure within the feed end of the vessel, ificans for supporting and rotatingsaid core, and yieldableineans in axial extension with said core for resisting longitudinal movenent ofthe core in direction from the feed end of the vessel, substantially as described.

2. ln a centrifugal concentrator adapted to operate in successive cycles, eachembodying a period of separation and accumulation of a -bed of concentrates, and a period of discharging said concentrates, the combination of a rotatable tapering concentrating vessel, a relatively differentially rotatable core within said vessel adapted to be forced endways during operation in part by-liquid pressure within the feed end of `the vessel, means` for supporting and rotating said core, and yieldable'means in axial extension with. said core adapted to resist `longitudinal movement of*` the core during concentration, in direction from the feed end of the vessel and to automatically force said core towards the feed end of the vessel during ythe concentrate `discharge period, sub` stantially as described.

3. In a centrifugal concentrator-the combinationof a rotatable concentrating vessel, a. rotatable core within the vessel, provided with means for supporting and rotating the same, said core adapted to be forced endways within the vessel during concentration in part by liquidpressure at the-,feed` end of the vessel and yieldable means embodying a. hydraulic cylinder for resisting said endways movement of the core in extended axial alignment to said core, substantially as described.

4. In a centrifugal concentrator the combination of the rotatable concentrating vessel, a rotatable.corefwithin the vessel, adapted to be forced longitudinally in direction from the feed yend of the vessel by liquid pressure in said vessel, means f-or supporting-and rotating said core, `means forresisting said endways movement of the core during concentration, and for forcingsaid core towards the feed end of the vessel kduring the concentrate discharge period, embodying a hydraulic cylinder in axial' extension with core, substantially as described 5. In a centrifugal concentrator the combination of a rotatable concentrating vessel, a rotatable core within the .vesselprovided Vwith means'for supporting and rotating ,the

same, said core adapted to be ,forced endways within the vessel during concentration in part byliquid pressure at the feed end ofthe vessehand adjustable yieldable means embodying a hydraulic cylinder for resist ing the endways movement of said core fromv thefeed end ofthe vessel, communicating with a liquid container affording a yieldable liquid supply to said cylinder, substantially as described.

6. ln a centrifugal concentrator the coinbination of a rotatable concentrating vessel, a rotatable core within the vessel yprovided with means for supporting and rotating the saine, said core' adapted tofbe forced endways within the vessel during concentration in part by liquid pressure at the feed end of the vessel, yieldable Ymeans embodying Aa hydraulic cylinder for resisting said end ways movement of the core communicating with a liquid supply container provided ,with an airy pressure chamberito afford elasticity to said liquid supply,substantially as described.

7s ln a centrifugal concentrator, the combination of a rotatable concentrating vessel, a rotatable core within said vessel, adapted to be forced longitudinally .during concentration in part by-` liquid pressure in the feedl end ofthe vessel, ashaft supporting and rotating said core, journalled outside --of said vessel, means extended in axial alignment ,with said shaft and differentially engaging the endthereof, for resisting the end ways movement of the core, substantially as described.

8. In a centrifugal concentrator, the combination of a. rotatable concentrating vessel, a rotatable core-within lsaid vessel, adapted to Abe forced longitudinally :during concentration, in part by liquid pressure in the feed end of :the vessel, a rshaft for supporting and rotating said core, journalled outside of the vessel, means in axial alignment with said shaft` and differentially engaging the end thereof, for resisting the endways movement of the core, embodying a hydraulic. cylinder, communicating with means adapted to yieldably supply liquid pressure to said cylinder, vand. means for 'regulating the intensity of said pressure, substantially as described.

9. `ln acentrifugal concentrator, the combination of a rotatable concentrating vessel, a rotatable core within said vessel adapted to be forced longitudinally during concentration,-in part by liquid pressure in the feed end ofthe vessel, avshaft for supporting4 and rotating said core, journalled outside of. the vessel, means embodying a hydraulic cylinder removably supported in extended `axial position to said shaft, provided with a. piston head cooperating With members inarotatable engagement with the end of the shaft and adapted through instrumentality of liquid pressure in the cylinder to yieldably resist endways n'io'vement oli the core, and means for suplying` liquid pressure to the cylinder, substantially as described.

10. In a centrifugal coneentrator, the combination of a rotatable concentrating vessel, a rotatable core within said Vessel adapted to be forced longitudinally during concentration, in part by liquid pressure in the feed end of the vessel, a shaft for supporting and rotatingsaid core, journalled outside of the vessel, means embodying a hydraulic cylinder removably supported in extended axial position to said shaft, provided With a piston head cooperating with members having a roller-bearing in rotatable engagement with the end of the shaft and adapted through instrumentality of liquid f pressure in the cylinder to yieldably resist endways movement of the core in direction from the feed end of the vessel7 and to automatically force said core to the feed end of the vessel during discharge of concentrates, and means for supplying liquid under pressure to the hydraulic cylinder, substantially as described.

onnm B. Lenoir, JR, 

